Duterte asks Herhof to send formal invitation to city

Subscribe Now October 03, 2011 at 08:50am

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte asked on Sunday officials of Herhof of Germany to send a formal letter to Mayor Sara Z. Duterte inviting some city councilors to visit their country... to personally see for themselves how their waste-to-energy (WTE) facility operates.

Herhof of Germany offered to invest in the city for WTE facility that would help convert wastes to power, which the city can sell to a power distribution company. The proposal needs the approval of the City Council.

In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa," Duterte said that with the formal invitation, city councilors will not worry about criticism that they are using "people's money" for the trip to Germany.

He said there is nothing wrong if Herhof offers to shoulder expenses for the trip "because it is the company's responsibility."

"There is no reason to bar the trip as long as the councilors will not spend public's money. I don't think it would be a violation to the law if the Herhof would take responsibility for the transportation of those councilors who will go to their country for an ocular inspection," Duterte insisted.

He also ruled out possibility that Herhof will bribe city councilors only to get an approval for the project.

Duterte said foreign countries, like in Europe and America, are prohibited from giving bribe, especially to countries where their companies want to expand.

"Everybody connected in the government nga muadto lang didto, graft and corruption na? For your information, it is unlawful to them (Herhof) to bribe people and I am sure na talagang tinitignan nila ‘yung kanilang expenses. So I do not see anything illegal there, as long as the proposal done with transparency," Duterte said.

"Now if the proposal would give benefit to Davao City, then the public interest would be the standard measure. Sakali tan-aw nila dili na maayo, I do not think the city councilors will approve the proposal," he added.